Nasarawa Governor Sule orders investigation into alleged sale of donated hospital equipment at Umaisha, directing prosecution of those found guilty.
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has ordered a full investigation into the alleged sale of medical equipment donated to General Hospital, Umaisha, directing that any health worker found responsible should be arrested and prosecuted.
The governor described the alleged incident as a serious breach of trust, particularly because the items were provided to improve the welfare of patients receiving treatment at the facility.
Sule issued the directive on Wednesday while inaugurating eight commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and members of government boards at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia.
He instructed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, to immediately investigate the matter, establish what happened to the donated items and identify the officials who may have been involved.
The governor further directed the commissioner to submit the findings of the investigation before the end of the week.
According to Sule, the issue came to his attention after the member representing Umaisha/Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, reportedly returned to the hospital and discovered that equipment he had personally purchased for the facility could no longer be accounted for.
Sa’ad had donated the items after becoming concerned about the condition of patients and the poor state of facilities at the healthcare centre.
The donation reportedly included 50 orthopaedic mattresses, more than 50 ceiling fans and about 40 standing fans.
The lawmaker was said to have spent his personal funds to provide the items, with the intention of making the hospital environment more comfortable for patients and improving the quality of care available to residents of the area.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the governor’s intervention, Sule said Sa’ad had visited the facility after making the donation and was shocked to discover that the items were allegedly missing.
The governor expressed disappointment over the development, questioning how equipment donated for the benefit of patients could allegedly be sold by those entrusted with managing the hospital.
He warned that such conduct could undermine efforts by individuals and government to improve healthcare delivery across the state.
Sule said the alleged action was unacceptable and demonstrated a worrying lack of concern for patients who depend on public healthcare facilities.
The governor therefore made it clear that the matter should not be treated as a minor administrative issue, insisting that anyone found to have participated in the alleged sale must be held accountable.
The controversy followed a confrontation on Monday between Sa’ad and some workers at General Hospital, Umaisha.
A video of the encounter later surfaced on social media, showing the lawmaker demanding answers from hospital officials over the whereabouts of the equipment he said he had provided.
Sa’ad appeared visibly angry as he questioned a doctor about the orthopaedic mattresses and reminded the medical official of an earlier discussion concerning the donated items.
He appealed to the official not to allow the situation to escalate while demanding an explanation for the missing equipment.
The lawmaker also focused on the electrical appliances, repeatedly asking hospital officials to account for the ceiling and standing fans.
He said he had purchased more than 50 ceiling fans and approximately 40 standing fans for the hospital and wanted to know what had happened to them.
The lawmaker’s concerns were reportedly heightened by information that some of the mattresses were being moved between different wards.
He subsequently demanded to see the mattresses, apparently seeking to establish whether the equipment was still within the facility or had been removed.
The incident has now prompted the Nasarawa State Government to take a closer look at the management of donated items at the health facility.
The Ministry of Health is expected to determine whether the equipment was actually sold, transferred, removed from the hospital or otherwise disposed of, as well as identify the officials responsible for any unauthorised action.
Governor Sule’s directive means the investigation could result in disciplinary measures or criminal proceedings if the allegations are established.
Beyond the Umaisha controversy, the governor used the inauguration ceremony to remind the newly appointed officials of the responsibilities attached to public office.
He charged the commissioners, advisers, permanent secretaries and board members to put the interests of residents ahead of personal considerations and ensure that government resources are properly managed.
Sule urged the officials to operate with transparency, fairness, professionalism and accountability while discharging their duties.
He stressed the importance of prudence in the management of public resources, particularly at a time when citizens expect government institutions to provide effective and accessible services.
The governor’s position on the Umaisha hospital case also reflects the wider responsibility of government to ensure that public healthcare facilities are properly managed and that donations meant for vulnerable patients are not diverted from their intended purpose.
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